AFTRS is Australia’s national screen arts and broadcast school and is regarded as one of the top 20 Film School’s in the world.

What is The Art of Perseverance?All art forms require an element of perseverance. To some non-creative people, artists have to expend large amounts of time, effort and self-funding to pursue their art, and the lack of return of non-fiscal income seems absurd. Yet creative people persevere. Why?

Looking at the artforms, it’s relatively easier to write a poem, or make a song, or paint a picture. These can be solo pursuits.
The average feature film takes 7 years to complete and requires multiple people to be involved.
However, often there is one champion who drives the creation of the film – this person I have dubbed The Originator

I am investigating the idea that The Art of Perseverance in feature film making is at its highest in the Originator, and if we can find out what that is, can therefore help present and future generations of filmmakers achieve their dream.

Elements of this theory has been well researched, such as in The Australian Producers Survey 2009 and 2011. This excellent survey has some great findings and insights and influenced me greatly in pursuing this thesis.
The results are presented in a very ‘black-and-white’ quantitative manner.
My thesis attempts to add some ‘colour’ by interviewing feature film makers in Australia.

The output of the research will be done over the next 6 months and my analysis to be completed by November 2104

Thesis written document

Supporting website

eBook

Documentary

In due course, I will be starting some surveys, polls and forums and comments to crowdsource the view from other industry practitioners and interested viewers,

What is The Art of Perseverance?

It's a project that studies how filmmakers in Australia persevere during the process from development through funding, production, marketing and distribution and beyond.

The average film takes seven years to make. That's a lot of perseverance.

Over 40 (and counting) of Australia's top filmmakers and industry experts have been interviewed as to how they persevered in creating their film.

These insights are being passed onto the industry at large in the hope it inspires current and future filmmakers in Australia.

The documentary and eBook will be out in 2015 accompanied by a educational outreach program, and screening tour.

This website acts as a blog, a resource and as a forum for professional and emerging filmmakers, as well as industry professionals and in-fact anyone interested in entrepreneurialism, filmmaking and perseverance.